Table of contents

Defining Scope of Work

Defining Dialogue List (DL)

Scope of Work

Source materials provided

Locked cut

Final Proxy

Requirements

Timeline expectations

30-minute episodic

60-minute episodic

Episodic over 60 minutes

Features

Up to 90 minutes

Over 90 minutes

Sample timelines

        30-minute episodic example

 

Defining Scope of Work

The Scope of Work (SoW) document provides Netflix’s general expectations and requirements for the Dialogue List (DL) commissioned from scripting partners. 

 

Defining Dialogue List (DL)

Dialogue List is the transcription of the dialogue in the original language of the content. The Dialogue List also includes:

• In and out timecodes of events timed to video and verbatim
• Dialogue annotation to aid translation
• Metadata tags

Scope of Work

The Dialogue List is used by dubbing studios to create the dubbing script and dubbed audio for their target language. Adherence to requirements ensures consistency and high-quality output.

 

Source materials provided

 

Locked cut 

Preliminary video, or locked cut, serves as the first video reference asset. Often, the timeline requires starting the dubbing process before Production is fully done, and scripting of the source content is done using the locked cut.

 

Final Proxy

Final Proxy is the final cut picture. Once the final proxy or IMF (Interoperable Master Format) is delivered, the script must be updated (conformed) to match the changes made from the preliminary version to its final version.

 

Requirements

• All scripting partners commissioned to create a script for the original content must use Netflix’s Script Authoring tool to author a frame-accurate timing and transcription of the dialogue to the video provided.
• All work is allocated via Grand Bazaar. 
• Scripting partners have to assign their resources to the tasks using Netflix’s Content Localization Portal (CLP), the central location to manage the authoring process.
• Fulfillment will include one delivery to a locked cut video (a preliminary picture) and conformance (update) to the final picture. 
  • Any additional versioning is subject to conformance rate and is requested at the Netflix representative’s discretion. 
• The dialogue list authoring process involves two steps for each picture version: 
  • Authoring and proofing.
  • After the first version is created, the script is conformed to the new video version while still maintaining the authoring and proofing steps requirement.
• One or more transcribers can do the authoring process (transcription).
  • Multiple transcribers can be utilized to work on the same proxy. 
  • For episodic content, batches of episodes can also be assigned to multiple transcribers.
• Only one person should do the proofing pass for all episodes to ensure consistency.
  • If not feasible due to tight timelines, engage as few proofers as possible.
• Transcribers and proofers should have access to Terminology.
• In the Scripting Authoring tool, scripting partners will work using the most recent production-provided proxies (preliminary or final). 
  • Additional materials like shooting scripts may be available but are not required for fulfillment.
  • Dialogue stems, when available, are accessible directly through the media player using the language selector menu. The stems are unavailable if the menu doesn’t have this option.
• Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technology is used to generate a base transcription of the English dialogue into script events, which include accurate in and out timecodes, along with a generic speaker identity.
  • The timecode accuracy is almost always sufficient but may require small tweaks. 
  • Transcribers should ensure that timecodes are within a 3-frame tolerance of the lip flap or spoken word start and end time.
• Transcribers and proofers should follow the Dialogue List Style Guide.
• Transcribers should enter key source terms and phrases in Terminology using the KNP Source Term Creation Guidelines.
• Once the proofing step is completed, the Authoring tool automatically submits the script to fulfill the Final Script source request in Backlot.

 

Timeline expectations

• The DL must deliver by the due date to be considered on time. 
• If the DL fulfillment partner cannot meet the timelines for any reason, they should notify the Netflix representative immediately.  
• Failure to meet requirements and style guide specifications will result in redelivery requests at the partner’s expense and will impact metrics.
• The timelines below are general expectations that could be adjusted based on the needs of each project.
  • Request for delivery in less time than specified below may be subject to rush fees. 
• Business days refer to Monday through Friday.
• A proxy refers to the video for an episode in a season or a standalone project. It can be the locked cut or the final picture.
• A batch of proxies refers to all proxies available for DL creation or conformance.
  • The proxies in a batch can be a mix of locked cuts and final pictures of the episodes in a show’s season.
  • A new batch starts when a proxy is received after the last DL in the current batch is delivered. 

 

30-minute episodic

Upon receipt of video:

• Four business days for the first proxy.

• One additional business day for each remaining available proxy in the batch.

 

60-minute episodic 

Upon receipt of video:

• Five business days for the first proxy.
• Additional two business days for each for each remaining available proxy in the batch.

 

Episodic over 60 minutes

Upon receipt of video:

• Six business days for the first proxy.
• Additional three business days for each remaining available proxy in the batch.

 

Features

Up to 90 minutes

Upon receipt of video:

• Six business days for the first proxy.
• Three business days for each subsequent versioning or conform.

 

Over 90 minutes

Upon receipt of video:

• Seven business days for the first proxy.
• Three business days for each subsequent versioning or conform.

 

Sample timelines

The tables below demonstrate the timeline expectations for the delivery of DLs. 

 

30-minute episodic example

The rows in the table are in the order the proxies were received. 

 

 

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Change Log:

2023-04-30

• Clarification on the timeline expectations and added a sample timeline as an example.

 

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